Rip-wire can closures



March 27, 1956 P. BOGNER RIP-WIRE CAN cLosUREs 3 Sheets-Sheet /j3 Filed OCT.. 24, 1951 INVENTOR.

Pefef E09/1er BY m W, mim

March 27, 1956 P. BOGNER RIP-WIRE CAN cLosUREs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1951 INVENTOR. Pefef Egg/fer BY March 27, 1956 P BOGNER RIP-WIRE CAN CLOSURES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24, 1951 Pelt? BY 1N V EN TOR. ,Bogner la' MJ United States Patent O RIP-WIRE CAN CLOSURES Peter Bogner, Rockford, Ill. Application October 24, 1951, Serial No. 252,865

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 30, 1950 Claims. (Cl. 220-49) The present invention relates to improvements in rlpwire can closures.

In general, a rip-wire can closure is distinguished from a conventional closure by a ridge extending wholly or partly around the closure, and a small diameter ripwire positioned in the ridge and exposed at one end to the exterior of the can to be gripped and pulled through the material of the closure, thus to accommodate opening of the can. Various types of rip-wire closures are disclosed in my British Patents Nos. 505,439, 505,454, 527,072 and 646,596, and also in my United States Patents Nos. 2,250,002, 2,277,066 and 2,329,328.

While rip-wire can closures may take a variety of embodiments, the closures of the above identified patents comprise a central depression or counter sink to tit within the mouth of a can body and a marginal seaming tiange to be interfolded, by means of known double seaming methods for example, with an outturned liange at the end of the can body. In double seaming a closure to a can, a iiat generally cylindrical chuck or anvil is inserted in the countersink of the closure, and a plurality of seaming rollers are moved circumferentially around the end of the can and radially inwardly with respect to the can to press the closure and body tianges downwardly and inwardly toward the anvil. Two sets of seaming rollers are employed to complete the seam in two steps, and in the completed double seam, the ange of the can body is turned inwardly and downwardly to define a downwardly open hook, the marginal tiange of the closure is turned downwardly, inwardly and then upwardly to define an upwardly open hook, and the two hooks are intimately interlitted, with a portion of the ange of the closure overlying the intertitted hooks and the countersink of the closure fitting intimately within the mouth of the can in the region of the hooks.

In regard to the prior art, reference is made by way of example to my British Patent No. 504,439 and my United States Patent No. 2,250,002 which disclose a ripwire closure and a method of seaming the closure to a can. The closure includes a single axially extending rip-wire ridge in the flange thereof which is to extend axially from the end of the finished can. In double seaming this closure to the can, a stepped anvil is required to prevent inward bending of the ridge, and the ridge must be of sulicient height to be firmly engaged by the step of the anvil. During seaming, the pressure exerted against the closure tends further to increase the height of the ridge. Due to these factors, the ridge attains an excessive height, which results in the disadvantages, first, that conventional seaming rollers and anvils cannot be utilized to seam the closure to a can, and second, that because conventional canning machines are sized to given norms, and variations in these norms are exceedingly difficult if not impossible to accomplish, the closure cannot be accommodated within the conventional sizings of can handling machinesand therefore fails to meet the demanding requirements of the canning industry.

2,739,732 Patented Mar. 27, 1956 Moreover, in the above described and other prior art closures, the rip-wire ridge protrudes from the seam in an axial direction and is freely exposed, so that the ridge is subject to damage during handling and transportation. To overcome this disadvantage, it has been suggested that the rip-wire ridge be provided in the countersink of the closure or its boundary wall. Such construction would assist in protecting the ridge from damage, but in the nished can, it would suffer the disadvantages that there would not be sutcient rigidity to facilitate complete ripping of the wire, and that, after ripping, the inner edge of the portion of the closure remaining attached to the can might overlie the detached portion of the closure to prevent or impair removal of the detached portion, there would be nothing preventing the detached portion from descending into the contents of the can, and the detached portion, even if removed, could not be replaced to close the can.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rip-wire can closure, and an improved can and rip-Wire closure, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art and affording a structure wherein the rip-wire ridge is protected from damage, the closure may be seamed to a can with conventional seaming chucks or anvils, the resultant can and closure are not of excessive size and may be seamed and handled by conventional seaming and can handling apparatus without necessity v for substantial variation in such apparatus, and the detached portion of the closure, after ripping, is supported on the can body, is readily removed from the can, and may be replaced on the can in substantially a sealed relationship therewith.

According to the present invention, I provide a can and rip-wire closure therefor having a central countersink fitting within the mouth of the can and a marginal seaming ange seamed to the can, the ange including a radial portion overlying the end of the can and two coaxial ridges protruding in an axial direction from said radial portion, and a rip-wire secured within the outer one ofthe ridges. By virtue of the provision ot two coaxial ridges, the outer ridge containing the rip-wire is protected by the inner ridge, and the inner ridge so rigidilies the outer ridge that there is no necessity for a stepped seaming chuck or anvil or a rip-wire ridge of excessive height, whereby the closure may be seamed to the can with a conventional anvil in a conventional seaming operation, and so that the resultant construction is of substantially the same dimensions as conventional cans of equal capacity. Due to the disposition of the rip-wire in the outer ridge, the detached portion of the closure after ripping does not underlie the attached portion of the closure, and the depression between the two ridges constitutes a rim engaging against the end of the can to prevent the closure from falling into the can and facilitating reclosing of the can substantially in sealed relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved can and closure wherein the ridge containing the rip-wire is fully protected from damage by provision of a second ridge of a height at least equal to or greater than the height of the ridge containing the rip-wire.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved rip-wire can closure having a central counter' sink, a marginal seaming flange extending outwardly from the upper edge of the boundary wall of the countersink and including a radial portion immediately out wardly from said boundary wall, a lirst ridge formed in said radial portion coaxially of said boundary wall andprojecting generally in an axial direction, a second ridge-A at least partially formed in said radial portion immediately adjacent and coaxial with the lirst ridge, and a rip-wire positioned within thc outer one of the two ridges,

e i In practice, the closure prior to seaming is provided with at`least one ridge and a portion of s'uicient material immediately to one side of the one ridge to accommodate formation of the second ridge, and the said portion of the closure may have a preliminary configuration in the form of a partially or compietely formed second ridge.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedrip-wire can closure includingv a corrugated` marginal tiange preventing buckling or such other distortion ofthe flange during seaming as might interfere with proper formation of-the seam, the c orrugations'in the ange automatically being straightened during the seaming operation to resuit in a conventioual'seam meeting vthe requirements ofthe art.

Otherl objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe following detaiied description of preferred embodimentsof the invention, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indic'ate like parts:

Figures l, 2 and 3 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a can and a rip-wire closure therefor formed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary crosssectitmall view ofy a can, a closure and a seaming roller, the view showing the manner in which the marginal seaming iange of the closure might become humped during seaming;

Figure 5 isa fragmentary plan view of acan, a closure,l a seaming roller, and rollers forpreventing distortion of the can and closure;

Figures 6 to l() are fragmentary cross-sectional views of. a can and various embodiments of the improved closure of the invention; and

Figure l1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a can and closure, which closure, prior'to seaming, includes one complete ridge and a partially formed second ridge.'

Referring now to the drawings', and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a can body 12 is shown as havingV interfolded therewith, i. e., double searned thereto, an end-closure 13 having a central depression or countersink 14 bounded by a generally vertical or upstanding cylindrical wall, and a marginal iiange 15 extendingtoutwardly from the upper edge of the boundary wall. rhe marginal iange 15' includes, immediately adjacent the boundaryl wall of the countersinit, a radial portion over'- lying the endof the can body and comprising, generadly. an axially proiecting wall at .the endofthe-can. TwoV ridges 16 andi extend coaxially withone another cir-y cumferentially around the marginal flange 15 withinthe said radial portion thereoi and protrude in an axialdireo tion from the said radial portion. Specilicaliy,thertwo ridges protrude axially from each edge of saidl radialr portiornthe inner ridge 17 being disposed immediately adjacent and coaxial with the central depression or countersink 14, and the outer ridge 16being disposedimmediately adjacent and coaxial with the inner ridge to extend in an axial direction from the outer edge or margin of the double seam. A rip-wire 1S is positioned, and' preferably secured, within the outerridge 16.

With the closuredouble seamed to thecan, thebound ary wall of the.countersini` has sealing engagementwithin'thetmouth of the can, the depression betweenthey ridges 16 and 17 attains' sealing engagement with the upper end of the can body, and the seals are maintained by the double seam, whereby the rip-wire 18, disposed within the outer ridge 16, is sealed from the contents of the can.

During the seaming operation, the innerV ridge 17 rigidifies the outer ridge 16 to prevent undesired bendf ing ofthe radialportion of the marginal ange,andf to prevent such distortion vof the outer ridge and rip-wire as'would result in damage'thereto.

To protect theV rip-wire and the ridge Within whichit isidisposed from damage during handlingi and transportation, both prior to and after seaming of the closure to' the'ca'n, the inner ridge 17, as is shown' in Figures l and 3, is of at least substantially the same height as the outer ridge 16. To a'ord greater protection, the inner ridge may be formed of a greater height than the outer ridge, as is shown in Figure 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a layer of sealing ma terial 19 is provided on the underside ofthe radial portion of the seaming iiange 15 to fill the inner ridge 17, thereby further to seal the contents of the can from the rip-wire 18.

The rip-wire 18 includes a portion (not shown) extending to the exterior of the closure, which portion is adapted to be gripped and pulled so that the wire 1d rips or tears throughthe material ofthe closure derining the ridge 16, whereby the countersink 14 and the part of the radial portion of the flange including the inner ridge and the depression'between-the two ridges is freed from the double seam. As thus freed.. from the attached portion ofthe closure, the central portion of the closure is retained against falling into the contents of the can by means of the seating engagement of the depression between the two ridges on the end of the can body, thus to prevent contamination of the contents of the can by the outer surfaces of the closure. The attached portion of the closure does not overlie the detached portion, so that the detached portion may readily be removed from the mouth of the can to accommodate removal of all or part of the contents of the can. If only a part of the can contents is removed, the can may readily be reclosed in a substantially sealed rela# tionship by reapplication of the closure to the can. In such position, the depression between the two ridges 16 and 17- provides a sealing shoulder or annular rim abutting against the end of the can, and the boundary wall of the countersink engages the inner surface of thelmouth of thetcan to -assist in providing anadequate sea Referring now more particularly to Figures 6 to ll,`

the improvedrip-wire closure of the present invention is shown as comprising a generally circular sheet metal` forma marginal seaming iiange to-beseamed to the can,v

the said flange from the boundary Wall of said central portion being bent outwardly and then downwardly to an extent comprising aV small fraction ofthe height of saidwallv to fornrthe relativelyl short axially extending inner-1 ridge 17 which is coaxialwith saidvwall andextends axially'above the endof the can, the ridge/17 deining ay downwardly opening channel immediately outwardly of said wall.y outwardly and-upwardly to a height no greater than said rst ridge-thereby totdene an upwardly opening channel of no greater size than said downwardly opening channeland' a lower circular rim or shoulder which is coaxialtwith said ridge and spaced substantially above the said central portion 'ofthe closure anddisposed closely adjacent'sad `wall to seat on the end 'of the can. Thereafter, the' closure lis bent outwardly and downwardly to form the`V axially extending outer ridge 16 which is coaxial with the ridge 17 andexteu'ds axially above the end of the canto deli'ne an outer downwardiy opening channel coaxial with and immediately outwardly of said rim. The seaming iange-is Ythen bent outwardly from the ridge 16 and( is-curled downwardly at itsouter edge to complete themarginalflangef to be seamed. to the can. The ridges 16'and 171y are formedr entirely, irl-the seaming flange of the closure, and the rip-wire 13 is securediin:

The closure is then reversely bentand snugly received by the outer downwardly opening channel defined by the ridge 16 so as to be disposed adjacent the upper outer edge of the end of the can. As has been noted hereinbefore, one of the ridges may be only partially formed in the marginal flange of the closure, as will become more apparent in the description of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure l1.

Referring now to Figure 4, I have shown a first stage seaming roller 20 applied to the peripheral edge of the marginal flange of the closure, the view showing the roller and closure shortly after the seaming operation has begun, wherein the seaming roller has forced the marginal flange of the closure into a hump 21. Such deformation of the flange may interfere with the seaming operation, and to avoid the source of such interference, Figures 5 to 10 disclose various arrangements for preventing deformation. Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a can body 12, a top closure 13 therefor, and a seaming roller adapted to interfold the flange of the can body 12 and the flange 15 of the closure 13. The roller 2Q is adapted for rotation about an axis 34 and the axis 34 is adapted for rotation about the can 12, or the can is adapted for rotation about its own axis, so that the roller 2l) circumscribes the can to effect a complete seal. To prevent buckling or deformation, such as that indicated at 21 in Figure 4, the supporting structure for the roller 20 may suitably support one or more guide means, which may conveniently be in the form of rollers supported for rotation about an axis generally normal to the axis 34. The rollers 35 are adapted to engage the upper surface of the flange 15 of the closure 13 to prevent buckling or distortion during the seaming operation. Two rollers 35 are preferably provided, as is shown in Figure 5, but, if desired, the roller 35 trailing the seaming roller 2f) in its relative travel about the periphery of the can may be omitted.

In the absence of the rollers 35, the flange 15 of the closure 13 may be bent in a predetermined manner prior to the seaming operation to prevent buckling or distortion. Figures 6 to l0 show the closure in position with a can body ready for the seaming operation, but prior to commencement of the seaming operation. The marginal flange 15, in Figure 6, is provided with three concentric annular corrugations 22 lying below the level of the tops of the ridges 16 and 17. Figure 7 shows a single corx'ugation comprising an annular hump 23 level, or substantially level, at the upper surface thereof with the tops of the ridges 16 and 17. In Figure 8, a single annular corrugation 24 is provided near the periphery of the marginal flange 15. Figure 9 shows the marginal flange 15 as provided with a relatively wide portion 25 sloping upwardly as it extends radially outward from the ridges 16 and 17 until the upper surface of the flange is substantially level with the tops of the ridges, whereafter a narrower portion 26 of the flange slopes downwardly. In Figure 10, the marginal flange 15 includes a portion 27 sloping downwardly as it extends radially outward from the ridges 16 and 17, and a portion 28 sloping upwardly to a height below the tops of the ridges 16 and 17, whereafter the flange again slopes downwardly. In all embodiments, the effect of the corrugation or corrugations is to impart to the marginal flange a resistance to buckling, particularly under the radially inward pressure normally exerted on said flange by the seaming rollers. Yet, during seaming, these corrugations are straightened to afford a conventional double seam as shown in Figures l to 3.

In Figure l1, I have shown a closure which, instead of having two preformed ridges therein, as is shown in Figures 4 to 10, is provided with a single ridge 29 extending circumferentially around the marginal flange 15of the closure immediately adjacent the central depression or countersink 14. An annular depression or groove 30 surrounds the ridge 29, and the marginal flange 15 outwardly of the groove 30 is bent upwardly substantially to the level of the top of the inner ridge 29. The rip-wire 18 is secured in the corner between the underside of the raised portion of the marginal flange 15 and the outer wall of the groove 30. During the seaming operation, the outwardly extending portions of the flange 15 are bent downwardly, whereupon the flange is bent around the rip-wire 18 and downwardly therefrom to define a second ridge coaxial with the first, as is disclosed in Figures l to 3` If desired, the corner within which the rip-wire is positioned may be scored in a known manner to facilitate the bending.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the closure of the present invention comprises at least one ridge and the provision of sufficient material to one side of said one ridge for the formation of a second ridge within the defined radial portion of the seaming flange, so that when the closure is seamed to a can the two ridges 16 and 17 are provided. In Figure ll, such material comprises the material of the flange 15 radially outwardly of the ridge 29. In the other figures, the said one ridge may comprise either of the ridges 16 and 17 and the said material for the second ridge may comprise the other of the ridges 16 and 17. In either case, the said ,second ridge may be partially formed, as in Figure l1, or completely formed, as in the other figures, the structure in all cases, however, being such as to provide a double ridge at the end of the completed can, as is shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The rip-wire can closures shown and described herein may be made in known manner, except that the two ridges, or a ridge and sufficient material for formation of a second ridge, are provided instead of a single ridge as in prior structures. The ridges may be formed, for example, by pressing or rolling, but any other suitable method may be used. The rip-wire may be se cured in place by known means, such as solder, or in the manner disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,329,328. Also, as pointed out above, the closure can be seamed to the can body by ordinary seaming machines used for cans without rip-wires.

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to cans and closures of circular cross-section, but can also be applied to cans and closures of noncircular cross-section. Also, although the closures have been described for attachment to a metallic can body, other materials may be used, for example, a non-metallic material such as cardboard. Therefore, it is to be appreciated, that while I have described what I regard to be preferred embodiments of my invention, various changes, modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A can and a rip-wire closure therefor, said closure having a central countersink fitting the mouth of said can and a marginal seaming flange seamed to said can,

said flange including a radial portion overlying the end' of said can, said radial portion including two coaxial ridges protruding in an axial direction from said radial portion of said flange, and a rip-wire secured within the outer one of said ridges.

2. A can and a rip-wire closure therefor, said closure having a central countersink fitting within the mouth of said can and a marginal seaming flange seamed to said can, said flange including a radial portion overlying the end of said can, said radial portion including two coaxial ridges protruding in an axial direction from said radial portion of said flange, a rip-wire secured within the outer one of said ridges, and a layer of sealing material disposed on the inner surface of said radial portion, said sealing material filling the inner one of said ridges and sealing the interior of said can from said rip-wire.

3. A can and a rip-wire closure therefor, said closure having a central countersink fitting within the mouth .said can; saidl ang'e including a radial portionover` lyingthenendvof. saidifcan, said radial portion including two coaxial ridges pr'otrudingfin an axial direction from said' radial portion'. of'A said' ange, and a rip-'wire secured within the outer one-A of said ridges, the depression between said ridges providing a shoulder abutting the end of the can in'sealingrr'e'lation before'and in at least substantially sealing relation after rippingv of said ripwire.

4. A can and a rip-wire closure therefor, said closure having aY central countersi-nk. fittingv within thek mouth of said can and a marginal seaming 'ange seamed to said'can, said flangerincluding'v a` radial portion overlying the end of saidy can, saidzradial portion: including two coaxial ridges protruding; in auf axialA direction from said radial portion oft'saidlangepand a. rip-wire se cured within the' outer one ofi said ridges,l the inner one ofl said ridges beingy of atleast the same height as the outer one ofsa'id ridges.

5. A can and a rip-wireV closure therefor, said closure having a centralV countersinlc fitting Within the mouth of said can, and a marginallseaming flange seamed to said can, said ilange' including a radial portion overlying the end of said can, said` radial portion including two coaxial ridgesV protruding in an axial directionfrom said radial portion of said ange, the'outer one of said ridges protruding in an axialk direction from the outer edge of said-.radial portion: and the inner one of said ridges protruding in antaxialVV direction from the inneredge of said radialportion, anda rip-wire secured within the outer one of. said ridges.

6. A rip-wire can closure madev of bent sheet metal,

comprising ay circular centrall portion. havingits edgesv bent upwardly to form a continuousfrelatively' highY generally cylindricaly wall thexlower major portion of. which is to be fitted intimately within*A the mouth of a can, then bent outwardly'to form amarginal. ange to beseamedv to the can, said ange fromisaidwall being benti'out'- wardly and then downwardlyto an extent comprising asmall fraction of the heightofsaid wall to forma relatively short axially extendingzridge'coaxial with said wall to extend axiallyl above the end' of the' can and defining a downwardly openingchannel. immediately outwardly ofsaid wall, then reversely bentoutwardly and upwardly to a height no greater than said first ridge thereby defining` an upwardly openinglchannel of noigreater sizethan said downwardly opening channeland a1 lower. circulary rim coaxial4 with said ridge spaced substantially'above said' central portion and disposed closely adjacent said wallto seat onV the end of the can, thenbent outwardly and downwardly to formlanf axially extending outer ridge coaxial with the first-named ridge also to extend axially above the end ofthe can:y anddening an outer downwardly opening channel; coaxial with and immediately outwardly of saidrim, andfthenbent outwardly tov com; plete the marginal flange to` be seamedto the can, said' ridges being formedlentirely-j in` theseaming flange ofisaidv closure, and a rip-wire secured in and snugly: received by the outer downwardly-opening channel to be disposed adjacent the outer upper edgeof theend of the-can;

7. For use with a can,ta rip-wire closure to be' seamed to one end of the can to close the'same, said closure being made of bent sheet metaland.comprisingy a central portion having its edges bent' upwardly to form a con= tinuous wall the lower major outer surface portion of which is freelyv exposed to beY itte'd intimately-within the mouthof the can in engagement with. the'inner surface thereof, then bent outwardly tofform-a marginal searningf flange tobe seamed to theccan, ,said seaming {langes-from-V said wall beingv bent outwardly and downwardly to an extent comprising a small fraction oftheVV height of'l said` wall at least in part to form a ridge coaxial with said-wall,-

then reversely-bent outwardlyv andupwardly toan extent pression being formed entirely in the seaming flange of the closure, anda rip-wire secured within and snugly re# ceived 1n the interior of said second ridge.

8. A rip-wire can closure to be seamed to a can body,

comprising a unitary plate including a central countersink having a bottom and a generally axially extending boundary wall to bey fitted within the mouth of the can in engagement with the inner surface of the can, and a" seeming flange extending outwardly from the upper end* of said boundary wall in spaced relation to the bottom of said countersink for seaming to the can, a first ridge of a height comprising a small fraction of the height of said boundary wall formed in said ange adjacent and coaxial with said boundary wall, a second ridge of a'.

height comprising a small fraction of the height of said boundary wall at least partly formed in said ange immediately adjacent and coaxial with said rst ridge, saidY boundary wall in part generally comprising the inner wall of the inner one of said ridges, the portion of," said flange between said ridges defining a coaxial rim" spaced above the bottom of said countersink to an extent comprising al major fraction of the height of said boundary Wall to seat on the end of the can, said. ridgesbeingcformed entirely within the said seaming. flange of said plate immediately adjacent said boundary wall, and1alrip-wire`secured within the outer one of said ridges.

9. For use with a can body, a rip-wire closure to be seamed to one end of the can body to close that end, said closure comprising a plate having a center countersink to' be fitted intimately within the mouth of the can body, said countersink including a generally axially extending boundary wall to engage with the lower major portion of the outer surface thereof the inner surface ofV themouth of the can body, a marginal searning flange to be seamed to the can body extending outwardly fromk the upper end of said wall, said seaming flange including agenerally radial portion immediately outwardly from the upper end of said wall to overlie the end of the cansaid ange coaxially of said wall, said ridge generally encompassing the upper portion of said wall and projecting generally in an axial direction from said radial portion of said flange, said ridge being formed in said radial portion of said seaming ange to define suicient material of said radial portion to one side of said ridge' for the formation of a second ridge in said radial portion coaxial with the first-named ridge and immediately adjacentthereto, a second ridge of a height comprising a small fraction of the height of said wall at least partiallyformed in-the said material of said radial portion to the said one side of the iirst-named ridge, said ridges being formed entirely in said seaming flange and dening a pair of spaced coaxial downwardly opening channels and an'axially extending depression between and coaxial with said ridges, the lower surface of said depression forming l0. A rip-wire closure as set forth in claim 9, wherein.. a portion' of said seaming flange outwardly of said radial portion is corrugated to prevent buckling of said iiangeV during vseaming and to be straightened during seaming to provide' alat seam;

(References on following page) References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France Nov. 27, 1919 10 Great Britain Nov. 9, 1925 France Dec. 7, 1929 France Sept. 12, 1932 Italy Aug. 1, 1933 Germany Apr. 24, 1935 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1946 

